The sun was just dropping below the horizon when I entered the pattern at 47N off an enjoyable spiral descent from 2000 feet, still legal dusk and not too bad for me to see what was what. I was glad for the opportunity to get a taste of night flight without actually launching into the dark. Coming over the numbers, I realized that even on a new Skyhawk, the landing light wouldn't help much on a runway without lights. Hope I remember that...
Bad photo, but it gives the idea... that's 47N
Decided to be a nice guy and top it off before parking it, and would you believe after hot-starting that sucker perfectly twice in a row, on the last attempt after topping off, I ran the battery down? Ugh. The school was closed, the shop with its APU cart was closed, and it was now quite dark. What to do? cant really leave it here, and it's a long way across the field to push a 172SP with full tanks... sigh...
Gus suggested that perhaps with the towbar and some rope, we might carefully tow the plane behind his truck to her tiedown. I was willing to rig it up and look, and it looked good enough, so we gave it a shot. Worked out fine, especially with Tom, whose hangar is on the end just near the pump, walking alongside with a flashlight to keep an eye on things. The entire path was slightly uphill, so there was no awkward braking to do. I love it when a plan comes together... what a team!
After I secured the plane, I drove back across the field to join my assistants at Tom's hangar, where we spent a few minutes admiring the Rans S-12 Ariale he's building. Very nice work he's doing, and a terrific design. It's going to be a real fun flyer, for sure...might be airborne next summer, as he's nearly ready to mate the wings with the fuselage
But as T. pointed out: "It's 90% done, and only 90% to go."
sorry; no pictures... but I'll be back in that hangar soon- Tom doesn't want help, but he likes company when he's working on the S12
The conversation turned to Breezys... G. mentioned that he knew someone based at 47N with a Breezy, and might be able to get me up in it. Hmmm... better invest in some flying goggles.
We were all famished, so we retired to a nice little restaurant in town for some grub, along with T's girlfriend, Catalina... a very nice meal amongst good company. I offered to pay the whole tab, but T. insisted we split it. At any rate, Gus got a free meal for his trouble.
More airplane talk, of course... got home much later than I'd planned, but it was a perfect day.
BONUS PIX!! (for spotters)
Taken while waiting my turn...
Ethan's trusty 1964 150D with STOL kit, looking nice in the late afternoon sun. She's for sale... just under 4000 total hours, and he's asking $15K but might take less. ;)
Hadn't gotten a pic of this fine old 150 yet (I think)... great paint job.
Commander, just... about... to...
A Rutan creation, obviously... somebody else can look it up. Wish it had landed at 47N, but it was just passing through.
Cutting it a bit close in the pattern here, but no worries with 150s. As slow as they are now, they can go slower. That's my occasional mount QJ in the lead, another nice 150.
